Thursday, 5 July 2007

This has been called in response to the attempted airport atrocity, by a combination of mosques, other faith organisations and supported by trade unions - and us, the SSP.

We condemn the appalling terrorist attack on Glasgow airport – which could have caused murder and mayhem to innocent men, women and kids.

We stand united against such atrocities - which affect all communities.

We condemn those using the excuse to carry out racist attacks on ethnic minorities - the Muslim people of Scotland must not become scapegoats for an atrocity that they have openly and angrily condemned.

We call on the new Scottish government to carry out its election pledges and pressurise Gordon Brown to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, as a step towards stabilising Scotland - to help build peace, justice and unity in the community.

Please – if you are in Scotland, and can get to George Square, Glasgow, come show solidarity with the ordinary people who were targeted and with the Muslim people of Scotland who have condemned this action.

Mosques and Islamic organisations in Glasgow havecalled for a rally on Saturdayto demonstrate theirresolve against terrorism. It will take place oneweek after the GlasgowAirport attack, with it alsobeing the second anniversary of the July bombings.

They are inviting everyone who can to take part,under the title “Scotland United Against Terror.”Faith leaders, churches, trade unionists and othersin civic society have been invited to attend, whileDeputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmedshe will speak.

Commenting, Osama Saeed, one of the organisers said:

”The incident today in Riddrie [someone backed acar into an Asian shop and set it on fire]underscores the need to emphasise communitycohesion at this point.

We have a simple equation facing us. We havethe terrorists on one side, and the rest ofagainst them on the other - whether they beMuslim, Christian, people of other faiths ornone. We mustn’t start accusing people of beingterrorists when they plainly aren’t.”